Gabriel and Lillian set out for Brookfield after the noon meal the next day, both satisfied that Bridget and Ivy were in good hands. As for the two girls, they seemed resigned at the arrangements, though Ivy gave both Lillian and Gabriel a long hug before going to stand at Rosemary's side.
Life continued in Hope Valley. The church members made arrangements to provide toys for the children at New Hope Orphanage for Christmas while Elizabeth's students worked on their ornaments and Christmas cards for the children. Elizabeth felt pride in the fact that her students were so happy doing something nice for others.
True to his word, the Peterson's wagon was brought to Hope Valley from Maple Hill as Constable Stevens had promised. Nathan and Lee had found the girl's belongings and found a way to store the rest. A decision on what to do with everything could be made at a later date. The wagon was taken to the livery and left there for the time being.
A week after coming to stay with the Coulters, Rosemary and Lee finally decided that it was time to get Bridget and Ivy Peterson involved in school again. At five and nine, both girls had been enrolled in school, Ivy for the first time, until they had left with their mother and brother for Unity. They were reluctant to go to a new school at first, both seeming to be content staying at the house with Rosemary. After Nathan had a conversation with Bridget, explaining to her that both her mother and her older brother would want her and her sister to continue with schooling, she agreed to go. As Ivy didn't like to be far from her older sister, the young girl was then willing to go as well.
The morning following that conversation, Rosemary and Nathan walked Bridget, Ivy and Ally to school. Nathan led the way with Bridget on one side and Ally on his other side. Behind the trio, Rosemary walked with Ivy. The five-year-old held onto Rosemary's hand though her gaze remained on her sister up ahead. At the school, Elizabeth was waiting outside for the little group. While Ally went to join her friends, Elizabeth greeted her two new students. After a few minutes of conversation, both girls allowed Elizabeth to lead them into the school building to get settled before the rest of the kids came in from outside.
Nathan was about to leave, when he noticed Rosemary gazing at the door that the girls had just went through. Remembering how he felt the first day he had dropped Ally off for school, Nathan reached out and rested a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.
"My advice is to stay busy," Nathan told Rosemary. "The day goes faster that way."
Rosemary looked from the door and up at Nathan at those words, a bittersweet smile on her face.
"Does it get easier?" Rosemary asked.
"It does," Nathan assured her. "Are you going to the dress shop today?"
Rosemary nodded in reply.
"Then may I escort you to your destination, Mrs. Coulter?" Nathan asked, offering her his arm.
"That would be acceptable," Rosemary replied, putting her arm through Nathan's. The idea of leaving with someone was somehow easier than the prospect of making the walk into town by herself.
With the girls in school, Rosemary was able to go back to working in the shop on a regular basis. That was the only part of her day that seemed familiar though. Mornings in the Coulter's house were less relaxed then they use to be. Lee took on the breakfast duties regularly while Rosemary saw to getting the girls up and ready for the day. In the afternoon, Elizabeth would walk the girls to the Coulter's house where Rosemary would be waiting. Bridget and Ivy would do their homework while Rosemary got dinner. As time went by, the girls started talking more and both Rosemary and Lee had to admit that they preferred the sound of children's chatter over the quiet that had once dominated their evenings.
The first snow fell, coating Hope Valley in a blanket of white. Word came from Union City that Constable Brian Peterson was improving. He had regained consciousness and Superintendent O'Rielly had broken the news to him about his mother and assured him that his sisters were being well cared for. As the young Mountie couldn't remember most of the details of the accident, little new information was gained about the incident. Constable Stevens had searched in vain for the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident, and it was decided that with the absence of new information, the investigation would be left unresolved.
With Constable Peterson's improvement, Lee and Rosemary wanted to make the trip to Union City to let Bridget and Ivy visit with their brother. The only thing standing in their way of making the trip was figuring out other arrangements to get the items for the children of New Hope Orphanage to Brookfield. The answer came in the form of a message from Gabriel. The ring he had ordered for Nathan had come in, and Nathan needed to make a trip to Brookfield.
Plans were therefor made for Nathan and Ally to make the trip with the toys, ornaments, and cards by wagon the same weekend that Lee and Rosemary would take Bridget and Ivy to Union City.
"That's everything," Lee commented, as he and Nathan finished loading the items for the orphanage in the back of the wagon. "Do you have enough food for the trip?"
Nathan nodded. "Elizabeth made sure of that," he replied as he and Lee headed toward Elizabeth's home where everyone was waiting.
Lee nodded. "And I know Eleanor will make sure you have food for the return trip just like she did for Rosemary and me. At least the weather is a bit warmer than it has been. It's going to be a long, cold trip to Brookfield in the wagon at this time of year."
Nathan nodded. "Ally and I will be fine. We're dressed for the weather and we have plenty of blankets. Still, I have a feeling we'll both be happy for the warmth of the Orphanage once we get there," he added. Lillian and Grace had insisted that Nathan and Ally stay with them during their stay as part of the reason they were making the trip was because of their children.
Inside, good-byes were said, neither Nathan nor the Coulters wanting Elizabeth to venture on into the cold with Little Jack for the sole purpose of seeing them off. Even with their audience, Nathan gave Elizabeth a long kiss good-bye. He was going to miss her and Little Jack over the extended weekend, as he and Ally wouldn't be coming home until Monday.
With good-byes said, Nathan, Ally, Lee, Rosemary, Bridget and Ivy headed outside. While Rosemary, Bridget and Ivy headed to Henry's car, Lee having borrowed the bigger car for the trip, Lee helped Ally get the blankets tucked in around her as she joined Nathan on the front seat. The twelve-year-old was excited to be able to go along, both to see Brookfield and to see Gabriel.
"Have fun and drive carefully," Lee told Nathan as he took a step back from the wagon.
"I will," Nathan assured him. "You drive carefully as well."
"I will," Lee replied, giving his friend a final wave. As Nathan got the horses moving, Lee made his way to the car, eager to get on the road himself.
"Wow, this place really is small," Ally commented as Brookfield came into view.
Nathan smiled at his niece's comment. He had thought much the same thing his first time to the little town. However, small or not, Nathan knew that the residents of Brookfield loved their little town in much the same way that Hope Valley residents loved their town. He could see why Gabriel had wanted to come back after recovering from his injury. It was the same draw that had made him turn down the inspector promotion almost a year ago.
"It gets quiet early too," Nathan commented, remembering his comment to Gabriel. Ironically, that comment came right before Sinclair took a shot at them. It was a part of his time in Brookfield that he hadn't mentioned to Ally.
As Nathan drove the wagon down the main, and only, road through Brookfield, several of the town occupants that were out and about greeted them. Nathan spotted Sam, and the prospector sometimes handy man, gave him a stony look, though did give him and Ally a wave. Nathan had a feeling that whatever was going on between Gabriel and Lillian these days, Sam was not happy about it.
Before long, Nathan was pulling the wagon to a stop in front of the Orphanage. The wagon had no sooner come to a stop then people started pouring out of the building, shouting greetings. Though it was a bit overwhelming for Nathan, Ally was excited at the exuberant greeting. Throwing aside the blanket and lap robe that had helped keep her warm during the trip, Ally clambered down from the wagon seat. Nathan heard her greet Gabriel first as he climbed down from the wagon on the other side.
"I hope your trip was uneventful," Eleanor commented, having come around to greet Nathan.
"It was," Nathan replied. "Thank-you, Ms. Winters."
"Eleanor please," the woman replied. "I've got coffee and hot chocolate on. Why don't you come into the kitchen and have a cup while you warm up by the stove," she suggested. "Ms. Lillian said you're not much for crowds and commotion and our children are experts at the commotion. Though your youngun seems quite at home."
Nathan glanced over to find Ally being ushered inside by Grace and the other children and smiled. Ally was right in her element.
"I should probably start getting things from the wagon," Nathan replied.
"Chuck and I will unload the wagon," Gabriel told him coming around the horses. He clapped Nathan on the shoulder in greeting. "Then we'll take care of the horses," he added. "Go inside and warm up after your trip."
"Come," Eleanor said, motioning to Nathan even as she started for the Orphanage.
Seeing he was outnumbered, Nathan did as instructed as Gabriel and another man, started to get things from the wagon.
After stopping at the nurses station, the Coulters found themselves standing outside of Constable Peterson's hospital room. Lee was carrying Ivy while Bridget clung to Rosemary's hand. It was clear that the environment of the hospital was new to the girls, and was making them uneasy.
"You're coming in with us, right Mrs. Rose?" Bridget asked looking up at Rosemary.
"If that's what you want," Rosemary assured her.
"It is," Bridget stated, nodding her head.
"Then Mr. Lee and I will be right with you," Rosemary assured her, reaching down to smooth the girl's hair with her free hand.
"Are you ready?" Lee asked.
Bridget nodded. As Lee looked over at Ivy, the little girl nodded as well.
Reaching out, Lee knocked softly on the door.
"Come in," came the reply from within.
Opening the door, Lee walked in with Ivy. He was followed by Rosemary and Bridget.
Constable Peterson was sitting in bed, propped up by pillows. The bruises on his temple were fading though his complexion was still pale. His one arm was still in a cast, and rested on pillows as well. A smile came to his face, as soon as he saw his two sisters.
Bridget let go of Rosemary's hand and ran to her brother's side. Reaching out with his uninjured arm, Brian pulled his little sister close.
"I'm so glad you two are okay," Brian told her, kissing the top of her head.
"Are you going to be okay?" Bridget asked quietly.
"I've still got some healing to do, but the doctor's are optimistic," Brian told her, not wanting to go into details with her.
Keeping his arm around Bridget, Brian looked up at Ivy who was still in Lee's arms. "Hey there Ivy. Did you miss me?"
Ivy nodded in reply.
"Want to sit on your brother's bed?" Lee asked the little girl.
Ivy looked from her brother to Lee. "Will I hurt him?"
Lee shook his head. "Not sitting next to him," he told her. "If you go to hug him though, just be gentle."
Ivy nodded her head and Lee placed her on the side of the bed, next to her brother. Taking his arm from around Bridget, Brian reached out to place a hand gently on Ivy's face.
Sure that the two girls would be okay with their brother, and wanting to give the siblings some time alone, Lee spoke up.
"Rosie and I will be waiting for you two girls right outside," Lee told them. "Take your time visiting with your brother."
"Thank-you," Brian told him.
Lee nodded, and then putting his arm around Rosemary led his wife from the room.
"I'm glad their brother is making a recovery," Rosemary commented as the door shut behind them. "They've lost so much already."
"You do realize that means we might have to give them up," Lee reminded his wife gently.
Rosemary nodded. "I know. I remind myself of that every night and I pray that God will help me deal with that if the time comes and I know he will."
Lee nodded, as he held his wife close to him.
"This whole experience has made me realize one thing though," Rosemary stated.
"What's that?" Lee asked, turning to face his wife.
"I want a child in my life, Lee," Rosemary told him as she looked into his eyes. "I love you, and what we have, but having Bridget and Ivy with us these last few weeks, has made things seem more complete. If Constable Peterson wants his sisters to be with him, then I'm not going to try to fight that. They're family. They belong together. However, if that happens, I want to adopt a child. I want the sounds of a child or children to fill our home."
Lee nodded. "That sounds like a good plan," Lee replied, pulling her into a tight embrace, neither caring that they were standing in the hallway of the hospital with other people moving past them.
